About the BLM's ADR Program

The BLM has been utilizing collaborative stakeholder engagement and ADR principles, strategies, and processes for many years--both externally in relationships with the public, and internally in relationships among employees. The BLM’s Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement and Appropriate Dispute Resolution Program (ADR Program) was established in 2002 to strengthen the existing efforts, and increase BLM capacity for, and use of, collaboration and ADR. The Program is itself mandated by statute (Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996), policy direction from the Office of Management and Budget and the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, and Departmental and Bureau policy and directives. A majority of the Program’s components also have evolved as priorities in response to Field and State Office requests and in response to the public’s requests and expectations.